HOUSTON – Texans veteran middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was fined $11,817 by the NFL for hitting Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson.
Al-Shaair told KPRC 2 he plans to accept the fine and will not appeal.
“I’m moving on,” Al-Shaair said. “That’s just the way it is.”
When Al-Shaair chased Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams to the sideline, he delivered a hard, legal shoulder hit that sent the first overall pick flying to the ground.
SEE ALSO ‘Not my proudest moment,’ says Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair, who punched Bears’ Roschon Johnson during sideline scuffle
There was no penalty for a late hit in what could have been a close decision, but Bears players were furious about the play. Al-Shaair was quickly surrounded by Williams’ teammates. And Al-Shaair pointed out after the game that he had been verbally disrespected by Bears players and that he had been shoved by players in uniform and out of uniform.
So Al-Shaair said he felt the need to defend himself. The officials missed the call and Al-Shaair was not penalized or ejected in the Texans’ 19-13 victory, but a fine was issued by the league office.
“It’s stuff I obviously can’t repeat,” Al-Shaair told KPRC 2 in the Texans’ locker room after the game. “I respect the game. A lot of guys think they’re tough when they wear pads and stuff, but I know what it’s like. I grew up different. There’s certain things you say that you have to talk about and you have to answer for, and I felt like some crazy things were said. I’m trying to get up and guys are pushing me to the ground. For me, I see a swarm of orange and I’m trying to protect myself. People say all kinds of things and stuff like that, you don’t take it lightly.”
Johnson, a former University of Texas player, did not fight back after being hit, writing on social media: “It took all my soul not to hit that boy.”
Al-Shaair said Sunday he knew he could face financial consequences from the NFL for his retaliation.
“Honestly, when I got up and I felt them pushing me to the ground, my instincts took over, trying to protect myself,” Al-Shaair said. “I didn’t see what happened until I pushed him, hit him, whatever it was, I have to respect what comes with it. Obviously, I understand that’s not acceptable. Obviously, that’s not who I’m trying to be. I’m not trying to be a fake tough guy. I’ve been in this league for six years. I’ve never experienced anything like this. For it to happen on national television, it’s not my proudest moment.”
“I take full responsibility. In this area, my instincts have taken over. People are saying all sorts of crazy things, they are putting their hands on me, they are pushing me. Some of them didn’t even have protection. I’m just confused. Why are you putting your hands on me? That’s the first lesson in kindergarten: keep your hands to yourself.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texas and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.
